Hampton teachers call for reversal of pay cut

HAMPTON – Hampton School Board supported one-off bonuses for employees but backed away from restoring a funding cut imposed in the fall, that was the subject of a demonstration by more than 50 teachers Wednesday night.

Teachers arrived at the meeting with signs bearing the word "Restore." They said they are concerned they are suffering from a combination of a reduction in pay, a higher burden of the cost of benefits and more pressures in the classroom, factors that are affecting morale.

They are disaffected about proposed bonuses for other public sector workers. Next Wednesday, a proposal to give Hampton City employees gift cards for Peninsula Town Center is set to be discussed by Hampton City Council.

The administration responded with the announcement of a bonus. Dr Victor Hellman, Deputy Superintendent (Finance), said an extra $2.2 million had been identified by an increase of 467 students. Hampton Schools is proposing to give full-time employees bonuses of $500 and part-time employees $300. The proposal was backed by the school board.

Trina Francis, president of the Hampton Education Association who teaches at Lindsay Middle, addressed the school board . She urged the board to use additional state and federal funds that became available after the tough 2010-2011 budget was passed.

"While salary freezes are unfortunately common during the current economic recession, Hampton school employees are the only school or local government employees on the Peninsula to experience a salary reduction," she said.

"All around us local government and school employees are receiving one-time bonus payments to offset no pay rises over several years," Francis said.

"But our request is not for a bonus. It's not for additional funds. We simply seek restoration of our original salary."

Hampton teachers suffered an 0.8 percent cut in their salaries this fall and many are unhappy about it.

At the October meeting of the school board, LaVonne Hoffman, vice president of the Hampton Education Association, who teaches at Davis Middle School, presented a petition. She called for a restoration of the salary cut, rather than a bonus.

It called for full restoration of lost salaries, to be paid with the $5.3 million Hampton is getting through the federal education bill passed last summer.

Hoffman addressed the board Wednesday. She warned the pay cut had affected morale at Hampton's schools.

"This school year has been plagued by budget cuts, staff reductions, major technical advances in the classroom, major changes with the special education program and inclusion all resulting in more demands on teacher time with a reduction in pay and an increase in insurance premiums," Hoffman said.

"This lowers morale resulting in undue stress on teachers and staff making sure that every child's needs are met every day," she told the board.

Hoffman said the school board has funds available now that could be used to restore salaries.